When and How to Replace Circuit Breakers and Fuses

Circuit breakers and fuses protect your house from power overloads caused by spikes in the power supply. Without these an appliance, such as your dryer or microwave oven could easily overheat and catch fire. For this reason you must use extreme caution when working with them. Keep in mind that any electricity is dangerous, and that which powers your house can stop your heart under the right circumstances. If you feel you are in over your head at anytime, don't hesitate to call in a professional electrician rather than risk fire or electrocution.

Electricity, in order to work properly and power your home, must have a complete circuit. That is, it must be continuous from beginning to end, from say the light pole, down the wires, to your house, through the electric meter, past the breaker box or fuse box, to the wall outlet, and into your electric lamp, and then back again on the same line (or circuit). If there are any interruptions in the circuit, i.e. the lamp is turned off, then the electricity will stop at the interruption and go back the other way, thus completing the circuit. Circuit breakers and fuses are designed to "trip" when the electricity along the line reaches certain amperage. For instance, if your lamp blows a light bulb, it could cause a surge of electricity to travel back up the line. The circuit breaker or fuse will trip, thus shutting off the flow of electricity. If the circuit breaker didn't stop the surge, the power could cause other appliances to overload and catch on fire.